St. Louis Cardinals: Too much sadness affecting escapist sports

The world mourned after yet another tragedy affected humanity in America and while the St. Louis Cardinals awaited the start of the offseason, two sports franchises paused in silent reverence.

I hate a world without the St. Louis Cardinals and thus have a tough time during the winter of our discontent called the offseason. My disdain for a winter without baseball pales in comparison to the loss of loved ones that once again reared its ugly head in America.

On Saturday, a deranged antisemitic madman murdered far too many individuals at a Pittsburgh synagogue. This white man flooded a crowded religious institution and killed those with whom he held such immense hate. The rampage lasted 20 minutes. 20 minutes too long.

While I deeply debated writing this piece, I am left with the desire to share my feelings. I am deeply affected and frustrated that our very own National Pastime and other sports must once again respond to immense tragedy.

More from Redbird Rants

• Cardinals Rumors: 3 pros and cons of signing Carlos Rodon
• What’s next for the St. Louis Cardinals after Contreras signing?
• Report: Cardinals Emerge As Mystery Team for Carlos Rodon
• Cardinals: Trade targets after signing Willson Contreras
• Reflecting on the 2013 Cardinals’ top 30 prospects

My memory immediately hearkens back to baseball’s delayed response to the 9/11 tragedy. Baseball at that time, the St. Louis Cardinals included, stopped playing games but when the world was ready, baseball returned and Jack Buck shared an emotional poem. This memory will never fade for me.

Enter then the sports world’s response to Saturday’s tragedy: more pause. More silent moments. The three franchise organizations in Pittsburgh- the Pirates, the Steelers, and the Penguins- sent support and those in action enacted a moment of silence to recognize the fallen.

While supportive, this is NOT okay. It is not okay to me that sports- something that should provide an escape from the stress of live- was something that was directly (if indirectly) affected. And let’s be honest, we ALL were afffected.

I long for the day when these tragedies will cease. I long for the day when our sports will play as intended without the necessity of a moment of silence.

And, quite frankly, I long for the day when our St. Louis Cardinals can once again play. This will happen again in February but in the meantime, let us pause for a lengthy silence to remember those directly affected by the tragedy in Pittsburgh and endure the winter of discontent.

In my nearly three years with Redbird Rants, I have had the displeasure of writing too many rants sharing in collective grief. I pray that the St. Louis Cardinals will provide us some joy in the coming days. Thanks for reading and be sure to hug your loved ones even tighter tonight.